Post on 01-Jan-2016
transcript
Building a Strong Geoscience Program from Scratch: Perspectives from a New Program at a State-supported Primarily
Undergraduate Institution
Joseph L. AllenDavid L. Matchen
Dept. Geology and Physical SciencesConcord UniversityAthens, WV 24712
Outline
-Institutional profile
-Characteristics and demographics of regional service area
-How a new geoscience program was founded at Concord
-Programmatic strengths, recruiting, and retention in a rural setting with declining population
Athens, WV
St. Clair Thrust Fault
Valley and Ridge
Appalachian Plateau
-Geologic Setting
Institutional Profile•3000 students
•16% Science/math
•liberal arts focus
•public funded
Quick History:
•1872–1931 State normal school for teachers
•1931–1943 State teachers college
•1943+ (especially 1960’s) shift in focus to liberal arts 4-yr college
•2004 change to University status; limited graduate degrees (educ)
•Little history of geology instruction until mid-1990’s
Characteristics of Regional Service Area
-Demographics-Economics & resources
WV Population 1870-2000
0
500000
1000000
1500000
2000000
2500000
1870 1890 1910 1930 1950 1970 1990
YearWV Population
[~10% statewide population decrease 1950-2000]
-Demographics
Source: US Census
62980
1358327329
25708
7972012999
+11 %-32%-32%-18%
-72% -16%
% = Population gain or loss 1950-2000
62980 = Current population by county
MU
WVU
CU
-Demographics
= University geoscience programs
Source: US + WV Census
-Demographics
English Language Spoken at Home: WV vs. USA
97.3
82.1
70
75
80
85
90
95
100
WV (%) USA (%)
% E
ng
lish s
peake
rsRace: WV vs. USA
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
White Black Am. Indian Asian Hispanic/Latino%
WV (%)
USA (%)
Source: US Census
-Demographics
Median Age: WV vs. USA
38.9
35.3
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
WV USA
AG
EEducation: WV vs. USA
75.280.4
14.8
24.4
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
WV HS Grads USA HS Grads WV 4-yr Grads USA 4-yr Grads%
High School College
Source: US Census
-Demographics
Median Household Income: WV vs. USA
29696
41994
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
40000
45000
WV ($) USA ($)
$Occupations: WV vs. USA
27.9
33.6
16.6 14.9
26.1 26.7
12.39.4
16.4 14.6
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
WV
Man
agem
ent/P
rofe
ssiona
l
USA M
anag
emen
t/Pro
fess
iona
l
WV
Serv
ice
USA S
ervice
WV
Sales/offi
ce
USA S
ales
/offi
ce
WV
Cons
truct
ion/
extra
ction
USA C
onst
ruct
ion/
extra
ction
WV
Prod
uctio
n/tra
nspo
rt
USA P
rodu
ction/
trans
port
%
6.4% more production, transport, construction, extraction, service jobs
5.7% less management/ professional jobs
Source: US Census
-Economics & resources
Energy Resource Jobs (% workforce)
3.6
0.40.2
0.340.19
1.2
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
WV SE GSA VA PA OH KY
%
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics
History of Geoscience Program
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
IDS I IDS II New Program (S04)
1974
Failed Proposal
Foundation grant
GEOL 101 Earth Processes, Resources,
and the Environment
IDS program revised/re-implemented
Undergraduate Geoscience Departments per Million Residents
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
AL
WV
Data from Directory of Geoscience Departments 38th ed. (1999-2000, AGI) and 1990 census. WV was in the lowest 18th percentile with a ratio of 1.1 departments/million residents compared to a national average of 4.6, with a range 0.5 (WY) to 18.4 (NY). WV is now ~36th %-ile.
National average
(2000)
Geology Enrollment and Budget Trends at CU
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
1990
-91
1991
-92
1992
-93
1993
-94
1994
-95
1995
-96
1996
-97
1997
-98
1998
-99
1999
-00
2000
-01
2001
-02
2002
-03
2003
-04
2004
-05
2005
-06
2006
-07
Academic Year
Geology Enrollment in SCH (x100)
CU Headcount (x100)
Geology Majors (Headcount, Fall)
Geology Graduates
Budget-Supplies/Equipment(x$1000)
Geol majors
Geol graduates
CU Headcount x100
Enroll
Budget
-Departmental SCH/enrollment trends
IDS I IDS II New
Program Focus:
Geoscience fundamentals for graduate studies and employment in energy and environmental services
Geoscience Core101 - Earth processes, resources and the environment202 - Evolution of Earth systems205 - Environmental geology370 - Earth materials and minerals 371 - Optical mineralogy380 - Sedimentary geology385 - Structural geology404 - Field geology
CognateGeog 311 - Computer cartography/Intro GIS1 yr general chemistry7 hrs math past algebra/trig
(most take calc + stats or 2 calculus)
One of three elective concentrations:•Geography & GIS (16 hrs)•Ecology and Life Sciences (16 hrs)•Physical sciences (16-20 hrs, 1 yr physics and calculus required)
Programmatic Strengths
Field skills -Traditional Mapping
-Linked to assmt
Field skills -Applied Geophysics
Collaborative Research Opportunities
GISOptical Petrography
Student Centered Environment
Successes in geology have mirrored re-invigorated chemistry program
Recruiting/Retention
•Selective suggestion (Geol 101+)•Geol 101 careers discussions; examples of geoscientists at work•Flexible curriculum (concentration area; math; physics)•Presentation of geology as a liberal arts science degree option
FUTURE:•Coal in the Schools Program•HS Recruiting Poster
Lessons
•Role of GEOL 101:
•Role of external student-faculty collaboration/research:
•Fostering a student-centered learning environment:
•Link field work/field camp to programmatic assessment:
•Role of flexible curriculum
•Role of institutional freedom:
Enrollment, budgets, intangibles
Retention, publicity, visibility
Retention +
Longevity
Recruiting/retention
All of the above